An analysis of the hyperactive syndrome: a comparison of hyperactive, behavior problem, asthmatic, and normal children

In an attempt to determine whether the commonly described deficits associated with hyperactivity--inappropriate activity, short attention span, low frustration tolerance, and impulsivity--are unique to this population, hyperactive, behavior problem, asthmatic, and normal control children were studied. The test most often used in research with hyperactives were administered. Hyperactives, when compared to normals, did show deficits in the aforementioned areas. However, when compared to the behavior problem and asthmatic children only the attentional deficits clearly differentiated hyperactives from the other children.

The detection and diagnosis of early occult and minimal breast cancer

This article has attempted to describe the present status of efforts toward routine detection of breast cancer at a stage when it is readily curable and to point out, not only the potentials of screening programs, but also the problems and difficulties that beset them. We believe that efficient, safe screening and accurate early diagnosis are achievable and that trial directed toward this end should not only continue but expand. We see no other avenue that offers as bright a prospect for a meaningful reduction in breast cancer mortality and the monstrous toll--medical, emotional, sociologic and monetary--it exacts.

Breast cancer missed by mammography

Because a "negative" mammogram that is followed by a biopsy diagnostic of cancer is a matter of deep concern, a retrospective review was conducted of 48 such missed diagnoses at four Breast Cancer Detection Centers. The study group comprised 40,000 women participating in breast cancer screening examinations. From 3,271 biopsies during screening, 499 cancers had been found. Biopsies in the interval between screening examinations totaled 630 and yielded 48 malignancies. These 48 interval cancers were studied in an attempt to discover why they were not found on the preceding mammographic examination. Three major categories of error were disclosed and each is discussed: (1) poor radiographic technique; (2) absence of radiographic criteria of cancer; (3a) obvious oversight by the radiologist; and (3b) lack of recognition of subtle radiographic signs. This last reason is discussed in detail in the belief that better recognition of these indirect radiographic signs will lead to more accurate diagnoses, particularly in early cancers.

Pharmacokinetic determinants of penicillin cure of gonococcal urethritis

In a 1964 study of the pharmacokinetic determinants of penicillin cure of gonococcal urethritis, 45 male prisoner volunteers were experimentally infected with strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae having known in vitro penicillin susceptibility. After developing urethritis, subjects received intramuscular penicillin G and had serum samples obtained serially to determine penicillin concentration. Using a multiple regression technique, we studied patient-associated parameters and parameters of the serum penicillin curves to determine the best predictors of treatment results. Cure was best predicted by the time the serum penicillin concentration remained above three to four times the penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration of the infecting strain (probability of correct classification, >0.80). Those cured had serum penicillin concentrations which remained in this range for means of 7 to 10 h. Our findings confirm principles of antimicrobial therapy derived from animal models and may have application in studying therapy of gonorrhea and other infectious diseases.

Assessment of smoking behavior

The nature of smoking risk is first reviewed and a classification of procedures for assessing smoking behavior is presented. Areas requiring assessment include not only the traditionally measured smoking rate, but also the substance used and topography of consumption. Each of these areas may be assessed through a variety of self-report, observational, or indirect techniques. These techniques as well as some of their advantages and disadvantages are presented. Recently published (1975 to mid-1978) data-based smoking research appearing in four journals (Addictive Behaviors, Behavior Therapy, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology) is then reviewed with respect to measurement reliability and the use of multiple measures. Results show a strong tendency to assess only the risk area of smoking rate and a low frequency of appropriate measurement reliability checks, especially during baseline and treatment phases. Some of the implications of these results are discussed.

Anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery in a marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Anomalous right subclavian artery in a one-day-old marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is reported. The anomalous vessel originated with the left subclavian artery from a short trunk off the arch of the aorta, then passed posterior to the esophagus, indenting it.

The effects of feedback on blood pressure discrimination

Discrimination of blood pressure in the natural environment as a function of feedback was assessed. Seventeen normotensives screened for blood pressure lability were randomly assigned to two groups. These subjects were then asked to estimate their systolic and diastolic blood pressure values two times per day over a 4-week period. Feedback for accuracy of blood pressure discriminations was implemented across the two groups in a multiple baseline fashion, using a feedback withdrawal condition in Group I to assess maintenance effects over time. Results showed improvement in discrimination accuracy for subjects in both groups when feedback was used, and no decrement in performance over a 2-week period after feedback was removed for subjects in Group I. Discrimination of systolic pressures improved at a slightly faster rate than discrimination of diastolic pressures.

Quantitative study of the decussating optic axons in the pony, cow, sheep, and pig

A quantitative study of optic axons in the optic tracts of several species was performed to determine the number and percentage of optic axons that decussate. Animals were prepared by unilateral ocular enucleation, and light microscopic techniques were employed to count the fibers. The mean number of fibers projecting from a single eye was 732,119 for the pony, 1,041,739 for the cow, 534,755 for the sheep, and 442,629 for the pig. The mean degree of crossover at the chiasm was 80.8% in ponies, 82.9% in cattle, 88.9% in sheep, and 87.8% in pigs.

Inhibition of the in vitro pituitary response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone by melatonin, serotonin, and 5-methoxytryptamine

The effects of pineal indole compounds on the response of the neonatal rat anterior pituitary gland to LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) were studied in organ culture. After 24 h of culture under control conditions, pituitary glands from 5-day-old female rats were routinely incubated for an additional 24 h with the test compounds. Medium LH content was determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay. LHRH (10(-9) M) induced a 10-fold increase in LH levels over control values. Melatonin at a concentration of 10(-9) M significantly reduced the LHRH-stimulated release of LH; maximal suppression to 14% was attained with 10(-8) M melatonin. Similarly, 10(-8) M LHRH caused a 26-fold elevation in medium LH which was suppressed to 62, 55, and 47% by 10(-9), 10(-8), and 10(-7) M melatonin, respectively. In short-term experiments, inhibition was evident within 30 min of treatment. A developmental study of the effect of melatonin on LH release revealed significant inhibition with pituitary glands from rats 2, 5, and 10 days of age but not with glands from animals 21 and 30 days of age. Other pineal indoles were tested for their effects on the LH response to a single dose of LHRH (3 x 10(-10) M). Serotonin at a concentration of 10(-9) M significantly suppressed LH release; maximal reduction to 37-53% occurred with 10(-8) to 10(-6) M serotonin. 5-Methoxytryptamine also produced an inhibition which was significant only at 10(-6) M, the highest concentration tested. N-Acetylserotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 5-methoxyindoleacetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophol, and 5-methoxytryptophol showed no consistent inhibitory activity at doses up to 10(-7) M. These findings indicate that melatonin, serotonin, and 5-methoxytryptamine can act directly on the neonatal pituitary gland to suppress LHRH-induced release of LH.

Long-term organ culture of rat anterior pituitary glands

An organ culture system for neonatal rat anterior pituitary glands has been developed in which cellular integrity and responsiveness to LH releasing hormone (LHRH) are maintained for at least 4 days. Anterior pituitary glands from Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured individually at 37 C in an atmosphere of 95% O2-5% CO2 in BGJb culture medium, Fitton-Jackson modification. Histological examination of 5-day-old rat pituitary glands cultured for 96 h in control medium revealed no evidence of tissue necrosis. By contrast, 40-day-old-rat anterior pituitary glands were centrally necrotic after only 24 h of incubation under the same conditions. The neonatal glands were treated for 24 h with synthetic LHRH, and medium and pituitary LH FSH concentrations were determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay. On the first day of culture, LHRH caused a dose-related release of LH with the minimal effective dose between 10(-10) and 10(-9)M. Near-maximal release appeared to be attained with 10(-6)M LHRH, which induced a 12-fold elevation in medium LH over controls. Release was evident within 3 h following stimulation with 10(-9)M LHRH. Pituitary glands were responsive to this dose at 0,24 and 72 h of culture with progressively increasing ratios between LHRH-stimulated and control LH levels of 3,13, and 24, respectively. Although FSH release by LHRH was not observed on the first day of culture, on the second day LHRH caused a dose-related secretion of this hormone. Specificity of the pituitary response was demonstrated for LH and TSH release following addition of LHRH and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The simplicity, sensitivity, reproducibility, and long-term viability of this neonatal rat anterior pituitary organ culture system make it a valuable technique for the study of gonadotropin secretion.

Xerotomography of pulmonary lesions

Xerography in combination with tomography is a useful modality in evaluating pulmonary lesions. Comparison is made between this technique and conventional film tomography. Xerotomography is felt to be preferable although it requires considerably higher radiation exposure to the patient.

Evaluating treatment effectiveness in cerebral palsy. Single-subject designs

Methods to empirically evaluate treatment effectiveness for individual patients or small groups of patients are presented. Different types of single-subject (as opposed to group) experimental designs are described, and their appropriateness for heterogeneous populations such as the cerebral palsied is discussed. Possible errors in attributing causality are noted and illustrated. Techniques or behavioral analysis and various types of single-subject designs are presented, including the AB, ABA, ABAB, and multiple baseline across subjects, behaviors, and settings. The procedures are shown to produce reliable data from which conclusions about the relationship between treatment and behavior change can be made. The generalizability of single subject methods to different patients and problems is also discussed.

Melatonin inhibition of the neonatal pituitary response to luteinizing hormone-releasing factor

Neonatal rat anterior pituitary glands treated in organ culture with 1 nanomolar luteinzing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) showed a tenfold increase in medium luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations over control values. Simultaneous treatment of the glands with 1 nanomolar melatonin significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of LRF on release of LH. This finding indicates that melatonin can act directly on the neonatal pituitary to inhibit the LH response to LRF.

A biological environmental chamber for the culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The control of gonorrhea is enhanced by the rapid and accurate detection of the causative organism through use of bacteriological culture techniques. The culture medium of Thayer and Martin is the medium of choice for cultivating Neisseria gonorrhoeae from specimens suspected of harboring this organism. The validity of culture results often depends on how the inoculated medium was handled before it arrived in the laboratory. Several procedures have been suggested for providing adequate environmental conditions for the survival and growth of the gonococcus. After examining various methods, we conclude that the method employing the Biological Environmental Chamber is an improvement over other methods. The chamber is a convenient and workable container for microbiological cultures.

Effect of progesterone on estrogen receptors in the rabbit uterus

The macromolecular binding of estradiol was investigated in the rabbit uterus under various hormonal states in a search for evidence of progesterone antagonism of the estrogen-receptor complex interaction. Progesterone did not alter the sucrose gradient sedimentation characteristics of the estrogen-receptor complex in estrus or castrate animals. Progesterone treatment of castrated animals did not alter the absolute number of EBS (estrogen-binding sites) per cell, but did result in decreased relative concentration of EBS by increasing the soluble protein content of the cells over that seen in untreated castrates. Castration did not alter the absolute number of EBS per cell but did increase the relative concentration of estrogen binding in the cytosol.

New system for cultivation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

A modified Thayer-Martin medium, containing 2.0% agar, 0.25% dextrose, and 5.0 mug of trimethoprim per ml was compared to Thayer-Martin medium for growth of stock cultures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and for isolation of N. gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens. Stock cultures and male urethral cultures grew equally well on both media, but the modified Thayer-Martin medium detected 10% more female patients positive for gonococci. A description is given of the use of a citric acid-sodium bicarbonate tablet for generating carbon dioxide in a sealed plastic bag containing a culture plate. Equivalent results were obtained on duplicate plates of 336 cultures and specimens when this procedure was compared with the standard candle jar extinction method of incubation. The tablet and plastic bag system has the advantages of economy, ease of use, and safety.

Effects of sympathetic denervation of the rabbit oviduct on normal ovum transport and on transport modified by estrogen and progesterone

Oviducts were depleted of endogenous sympathetic neurotransmitter by either surgical denervation, or intraluminal infusion of 6-OH-dopamine or systemic administration of reserpine. Functional denervation was confirmed by histochemical examination of the oviducts. These procedures failed to disrupt normal transport rates of ova as indicated by oviductal ovum recovery rates at 48 and 72 h following HCG injection. However, estrogen-induced ‘tube-locking’ of ova and progesterone-induced acceleration of ovum transport were partially antagonized by depletion of neurotransmitter from the intrinsic adrenergic nerves of the oviduct. These data suggest that the effects of sex steroids on ovum transport are partially mediated through adrenergic processes.

Demonstration of beta adrenergic receptors in the rabbit oviduct

The rabbit oviductal isthmus was examined, <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>, for the presence of beta adrenergic receptor activity. Epinephrine, ethyl norepinephrine, and isoproterenol were employed as adrenergic agonists. Alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blockades were induced with phentolamine and propranolol respectively. Beta activity was consistently demonstrated in progesterone treated animals. Estrus animals demonstrated variable beta activity. These results suggest that progesterone pretreatment enhances beta receptor activity in the rabbit oviduct.